Liquid metering dispenser

ABSTRACT

Liquid under pressure within a bulk container is dispensed in measured quantities through a valve assembly having an actuated valve element engageable with a pair of spring-biased valve to control inflow and outflow from opposite sides of a piston within a fluid-measuring chamber. The measuring chamber is remote from or removably clamped to the valve assembly which includes a tubular valve body closed at opposite ends by closure caps that slidably mount the spring-biased valves and connect the valve assembly to the pressurized container.

United States Patent Russell E. Kraft Fort Lauderdale, Fla.;

William E. Kallas, Punxsutawney, Pa. [21] Appl. No. 689,620

[22] Filed Dec. 11, 1967 [45] Patented Jan.5, 1971 [73] AssigneeBeverage-Air Company a corporation of Delaware [72] lnventors 54] LIQUIDMETERING DISPENSER 12 Claims, 11 Drawing Figs.

[52] 0.8. CI 222/249, 222/386.5 [51] Int. ..G0lfll/04, GOif 1 1/08 [50]Field of Search 222/249, 250, 386.5; 73/239, 269

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 322,388 7/1885 Lord 222/249400,401 3/1889 Gutzkow 222/250X 1,224,355 5/1917 Brown 222/249 1,782,70411/1930 Woodruff 222/249 2,865,541 12/1958 Hicks ZZZ/386.5 FOREIGNPATENTS 981,414 l/1951 France 222/250 744,552 2/1956 Great Britain222/250 1,056,256 1/1967 Great Britain 222/249 Primary ExaminerRobert B.Reeves Assistant Examiner-Frederick R. l-landren AttorneyClarence A.OBrien & Harvey B. Jacobson ABSTRACT: Liquid under pressure within abulk container is dispensed in measured quantities through a valveassembly having an actuated valve element engageable with a pair ofspring-biased valves to control inflow and outflow from 0pposite sidesof a piston within a fluid-measuring chamber. The measuring chamber isremote from or removably clamped to the valve assembly which includes atubular valve body closed at opposite ends by closure caps that slidablymount the spring-biased valves and connect the valve assembly to thepressurized container.

. and are difficult to disassembly for replacement of parts.

In accordance with the present invention, leakage is minimized, andservicing of the valvemechanism facilitated by means of a valve assemblywhich includes a tubular valve body having inlet ports communicatingwith the fluid-measuring chamber through conduits attached to themeasuring chamber while the opposite ends of the valve body are closedby closure caps through which fluid communication to the pressurizedcontainer is establishedfThe closure caps slidably mount spring-biasedvalve members which'normally close the supply passages formed within theclosure caps. The springbiased valve members are however displacedagainst the bias of the springs to open the supply passages by:a tubularvalve member displaced by a suitable actuator from one operativeposition to another to thereby permit inflow of fluid to the measuringchamber on one side while outflow of fluid from through a pair offlexible tubes 16- and I8 and removably mounts thereon, a measuringchamber device 20. It will become apparent therefore, that displacementof the actuator 14 between two operative positionswill dispense aquantity of A liquid through the discharge spout 22, the quantitydispensed being determined by the capacity of the measuring chamberdevice 20. Thus, each time the actuator isidisplaced from the positionshown in FIG. I in the properdircction to one of the operativepositions, the same quuntity" .ol' liquid .will be dispensed into acontainer placed under'thc discharge spout Referring now to FIGS. 2, and6, it will be observed that the valve assembly includes a tubular valvebody 24 having a central outlet port 26 establishing fluid communicationbetween the spout 22 and a pair of inlet ports 28 and 30. The inletports are formed by sealed, recessed openings into which passageportions 32 of the measuring chamber device are inserted. The passageportions 32 project'from the end walls the other side is conductedthrough a valve passage in the actuated valve member to a dischargespout.

Disassembly of the, valve mechanism is accordingly facilitated forcleaning and repair purposes while the measuring chamber may-bereadilyreplaced by measuring chambers of different sizes in orderto'afford awide range of capacity.

Accordingly, different beverages may be dispensed through the dischargespout in exact desired -quantities by simple displacement of theactuator from one operative'position to the other. the actuator capableof being operated either manually or electrically.

These together with other objects and advantages which will becomesubsequently apparent reside in. the details of coristruction andoperation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, referencebeing bad to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, whereinlike numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:' v

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing one embodiment of theliquid-metering dispenser of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken throu'gh'the dispenser-takensubstantially through a plane indicated by section line 2-2 in FIG. 1showing the dispenser in a closed condition.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view similar to FIG 2 but showing the dispenser ina dispensing condition corresponding to one operative position of theactuator.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view similar to 'FIG 3 but showing the dispenserin a dispensing condition in the other operative position of theactuator. I I

FIG. 5 is a partial sectional view taken substantially through a planeindicated by section-line 5-5 in FIG. 2. 7

FIG. 6 is a partial sectional view taken subatantially throug a planeindicated by section line 6-6 in FIG. 5,

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of a dispenser having another form ofmetering chamber device.

FIG. 8 is top sectional view taken substantially through a planeindicated by section line 8-8 in FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a partial sectional view taken substantially through a planeindicated by section line 9-9'in FIG. 7.

FIG 10 is a partial side sectional view through a modified form of valveassembly.

FIG. 11 is a partial side sectional view showing a modification of-thedispenser illustrated in FIG. 2(

Referring now to the drawings in detail, the dispenser generallyreferred to by reference numeral 10 in FIG. 1 includes a valve assemblygenerally referred to by reference nu- 34 of the measuring device heldassembled with the cylindrical wall 36 by means of the assembly bolt 38and the clamping nut 40 secured to the assembly bolt by the screwfastener 42. Fluid chambers 44 are accordingly enclosed within themeasuring device on either side of a piston member 46 which is slidablymounted on the assembly bolt 38. Themeasuring device is held assembledon the valve body 24 by means of the clamps 48 which include U-shapedrods 50 embracing the tubular. I

valve body andwhich are connected at the ends thereof to the releasablelock elements 52 engagingthe passage portions 32.

The opposite axial ends of thetubular valve body 24 are closed by a pairof closure cap members 54 and 56 coupled by the couplings 58 to thevalve body. Each closure cap member enclosesa supply passage 60communicating with the pressurized container-through the flexible tubeI6 or, 18 coupled to the fitting 62. The closure cap memberis clamped tothe tubular valve body 24 by the coupling 58 againstanannular seal 1element 64 which also holds a valve seat member 66 assembled within thetubular valve body. Each valve seat member is provided with an opening68 aligned with the outlet ports 28 7 within the tubular valve bodyaforementioned. Accordingly, the supply. passage 60 may communicatewiththe fluid chambers 44 through thevalve seat members 66 in order tocharge the measuring chamber device with fluid from the pressurizedcontainer.

A tubular valve member 70 is tubular valve body 24 for displacement bymeans of the actuator 14 between the outlet ports 28. A valve passage 72is formed within the valve member 70 in constant fluid communicationwith the outlet port 26 through the opening 74. In one form of theinvention, the valve member 70 is axially displaceable by means of anactuator rod 76' associated with the actuator 14, the actuator rod beingpivotally mounted within the fitting 78 many suitable manner asforexample by'the pivot element 80 as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. Any suitablehandle assembly 82 may be connected to. the actuator rod which may alsobe biased to a position past over center by means of a spring device 84housed within the pivotal bearing member 86 on which the handle isassembled. It will of course be appreciated that other types ofactuators maybe utilized per-- forming a similar function in displacingthe valve member 70 to opposite axial limit positions on one side or theother of a center position at which it is yieldably held when released.When the actuator is released therefore, the valve member 70 will assumea position such as illustrated in FIG. 2 wherein one of its valveseating ends 88 engages one of the valves 90 respectively mounted by theclosure cap members 54 and 56. The tubular valve member 70 is alsoprovided with annular'O- ring seals 92 adjacent the valve seating ends88 so as to confine flow through the valve passage 72 from one of theaxial ends 88 when the valve member is displaced to one of the oppositeaxial end positions thereof to which it is limited by the valves 90. Thevalves 90 are similar in-construction and operation and each includes atubular end portion 94 slidably mounted within a bore 96 formed in'theclosure cap member.

slidably mounted within the A spring 98 is seated within the bore 96 andextends into the tubular portion 94 of the valve so as to bias the valveinwardly to a 'position wherein a radially projecting valve land 100 en-When the actuator is released, as shown in FIG. 2, the valve member 70will be in engagement with the valve land 102 associated with the valve90 in the closure cap member 56. The bias of the spring 84 associatedwith the actuator 14 will however be insufflcient to displace the valvemember 90 against the bias of spring 98 so that the valve memberwillclose the supply passage 60 within the closure cap member 56. Thevalve 90 associated with the closure cap member 54 will also close thesupply passage 60 associated therewith. Accordingly, no fluid from thepressurized container may flow into the valve assembly. However themeasuring chamber device will be charged with fluid on one side of thepiston 46 as shown in FIG. 2. Inasmuch as the valve land 102 associatedwith the valve 90 within the closure cap member 56 engages the adjacentvalve seating end 88 of the valve member 70, the valve passage 72 isclosed so as to prevent leakage of any fluid. If the valve member 70 isthen displaced in a lefthand direction from the position shown in FIG. 2to the position shown in FIG. 4, the valve passage 72 will open sincethe valve member 70 will then be spaced from the land 102 of theright-hand valve 90 permitting fluid on the right side of the piston 46to be conducted into the spout 22. At the same time, 'the valve passage72 will be closed at the opposite end and the left-hand valve 90 will bedisplaced to an open position against shown in FIG. 3, fluid isdisplaced from the left side of the piston 46 in order to dispense thesame quantity of fluid.

The dispenser hereinbefore described may be adapted for the handling ofdifferent types of beverages. In connection with high pressurebeverages, a restrictor 47 may be placed between the fluid chambers 44of the measuring chamber device 20 and the valve assembly 12 in thepassage portions 32 as shown in FIG. 11 or on the intake side of thedispenser. More satisfactory operation of the dispenser may also beobtained in order to handle either gravity flow beverages, pressurizedbeverages or carbonated beverages by replacing the measuring chamberdevice 20 hereinbefore described by another type of measuring chamberdevice 106 as illustrated in FIGS. 7, 8 and 9.

As shown, the measuring chamber device 106 includes a pair ofhemispherical sections 108 secured together by the fasteners 110 at theflange portions 112 in order to enclose a pressure sealed sphericalchamber. A flexible diaphragm 114 is peripherally clamped between theflange portions 112 internally of the chamber device so as to displace ametered quantity of fluid from either side thereof. Thus, fluid underpressure introduced into the spherical chamber enclosed by the sections108 will displace the diaphragm 114 against the hemispherical wall ofone of the sections 108 shown. Fluid is introduced under pressure fromthe valve assembly 12 to one side or the other of the diaphragm throughpassages 116 formed in the passage portions 118 projecting from thehemispherical sections 108 of the measuring chamber device. The passageportions 118 fit into the valve assembly and are clamped thereto in thesame manner as hereinbefore described with the passage portions 32associated with the measuring chamber device 20.

In order to prevent sealing of the portl20 at the end of the passages116, by the 'diaphragm ll4,a"*pin 122 isinserted through the sections108 extending chordally across the ports to thereby space the diaphragmfrom theports .without however blocking passage'of fluid throughthe'p'oits. Thus, the measuring chamber device" 106 may properly operatein a manner similar to the chamber device "20' hereinbefore describedwherein the diaphragm ll'4 replaces the piston 46. More accuratemetering is'f however "pastime with the diaphragm even when highpressure fluids are involved since there is no leakage problem withmagmas compared to apiston. f

The measuring chamber device'could' also be'located remote from thevalve assembly 12 and' c riij ected'the reto by flexible conduitsextending from the outlet ports 28"of the valve assembly similar to theconduits l6 and 18 extending from the inlet ports. The valve a ss'eriibly may then be-a'ccommodated within a smaller space. In such aninstallation: the actuator may be arranged to return to'a neutral orcentralposition closing off both inlet ports from the outlet ports. I

A modified form of valve assembly is shown in FIG. 10 in which the valvemember 70 of'FlG. 2 is replacec'l'byfi valve member 124 having a pair ofsepar'a'te passages 126 extending from the axial ends 128 enga'ged'bythe valve lands 10 2 to the lower lateral side of the valve member atspaced portsl'30 alternately aligned with the outlet spout 22. v

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles ofthe invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes willreadily occur to: those skilled in th efart, it is not desired to limitthe invention to the exact construction and operation shown anddescribed, and accordingly all suitable modiflcatons and equivalents maybe resorted I to; falling within the scope of the invention. I

We claim: 7 r

1. A liquid-dispensing device adapted to discharge metered quantities offluid from a source of fluid under pressure, including measuring meansfor receiving said fluid having a fluid chamber and a piston enclosedtherein, a valve assembly on which said measuring means is mounted and avalve actuator displaceable to two operative positions, said valveassembly comprising an elongated valve body having spaced inlet portscommunicating with said fluid chamber on opposite sides of said pistonand an outlet port intermediate said inlet ports, valve meansdisplaceable by said actuator within said valve body between said inletports for controlling flow of the fluid having a valve passage inconstant communication with said outlet port, a pair of valve membersengageable with said valve means, and supply means operativelyconnecting'said source of fluid to the valve assembly and movablymounting the valve members for establishing fluid communication to saidinlet ports and blocking the valve passage in the valve means. 1 I

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said supply means comprises a pairof valve closure members coupled to said valve body, each of said valveclosure members having a supply passage communicating with one of saidinlet ports and means constantly biasing one of the valve members to aclosed position blocking the supply passage.

3. The combination ofclaim 2 wherein each of said valve members includesa first valve portion engageable with said valve means to limit movementthereof and close said valve passage to one of the inlet ports, and asecond valve portion displaced by the valve means to an open positionagainst the bias of the biasing means opening thesupply passage to theinlet port while the valve passage is closed to said inlet port.

4. The combination of claim 3:wherein said valve means comprises atubular element having valve seat portions at opposite ends thereofengageable by the first valve portions of the valve members. l

5. The combination of claim 4 wherein said valve body comprises atubular member having opposite ends coupled to the supply means, clampmeans holding the measuring means assembled on the tubular member andconnected to the inlet ports and valve seats mounted in the tubularmember at said opposite ends thereof for engagement by the second valveportions of the valve members.

6 The combination of claim 1 wherein said valve means comprises atubular element having valve seat portions at opposite ends thereofengageable by the valve members.

7. The combination of claim 6 wherein said valve body comprises atubular member having opposite ends coupled to the supply means, clampmeans holding the measuring means assembled on the tubular member andconnected to the inlet ports and valve seats mounted in the tubularmember at said opposite ends thereof for engagement by the valvemembers.

8. In a liquid-dispensing device adapted to discharge metered quantitiesof fluid from a source, including measuring chamber means having a fluidchamber for receiving said fluid and a fluid displacing element enclosedtherein, valve assembly on which said measuring means is mounted and avalve actuator displaceable to two operative positions, said valveassembly comprising a valve body having an inlet port communicating withsaid fluid chamber on side of the fluid-displacing element and an outletport spaced therefrom, valve means displaceable by said actuator forcontrolling flow of the fluid having a valve passage in constantcommunication with said outlet port, a valve member engageable with saidvalve means, a closure member coupled to said valve body having a supplypassage communicating with said inlet port and means biasing said valvemember to a closed position blocking the supply passage when the valvepassage is open, said valve means having a valve seat engaged with thevalve-member to close the means includes a passage portionconnecting thechamber to the inlet port, and clamp means holding the passage portionassembled on the valve body.

10 The combination of claim 9 wherein said fluid-displacing elementcomprises a flexible diaphragm, and spacing means mounted in the fluidchamber of the measuring chamber means spacing the diaphragm from-thepassage portion to prevent blockage of fluid inflow to the measuringchamber means from the valve assembly. H

11. The combination of claim 10 wherein said fluid chamber is sphericalin shape and said spacing means includes a pin extending chordallythrough the fluid chamber overlying the passage portion.

12 In combination with a fluid-metering chamber, a valve assemblycomprising avalve body having an inlet port in communication with themetering chamber and an outlet port, valve means displaceable between atleast two operative positions having a passage in constant communicationwith said outlet port for controlling flow of fluid, a valve memberengageable with the valve means in one of the operative positionsthereof, supply means operatively connected to the valve body andmounting the valve member for movement by the valve means to a positionconducting an inflow of fluid through the inlet port into the meteringchamber, means biasing the valve member to another positionblocking saidinflow to the metering chamber, and actuating means engageable with thevalve means for displacement thereof to the other of the operativepositions spaced from the valve member conducting outflow offluid fromthe metering chamber to the outlet port.

1. A liquid-dispensing device adapted to discharge metered quantities offluid from a source of fluid under pressure, including measuring meansfor receiving said fluid having a fluid chamber and a piston enclosedtherein, a valve assembly on which said measuring means is mounted and avalve actuator displaceable to two operative positions, said valveassembly comprising an elongated valve body having spaced inlet portscommunicating with said fluid chamber on opposite sides of said pistonand an outlet port intermediate said inlet ports, valve meansdisplaceable by said actuator within said valve body between said inletports for controlling flow of the fluid having a valve passage inconstant communication with said outlet port, a pair of valve membersengageable with said valve means, and supply means operativelyconnecting said source of fluid to the valve assembly and movablymounting the valve members for establishing fluid communication to saidinlet ports and blocking the valve passage in the valve means.
 2. Thecombination of claim 1 wherein said supply means comprises a pair ofvalve closure members coupled to said valve body, each of said valveclosure members having a supply passage communicating with one of saidinlet ports and means constantly biasing one of the valve members to aclosed position blocking the supply passage.
 3. The combination of claim2 wherein each of said valve members includes a first valve portionengageable with said valve means to limit movement thereof and closesaid valve passage to one of the inlet ports, and a second valve portiondisplaced by the valve means to an open position against the bias of thebiasing means opening the supply passage to the inlet port while thevalve passage is closed to said inlet port.
 4. The combination of claim3 wherein said valve means comprises a tubular element having valve seatportions at opposite ends thereof engageable by the first valve portionsof the valve members.
 5. The combination of claim 4 wherein said valvebody comprises a tubular member having opposite ends coupled to thesupply means, clamp means holding the measuring means assembled on thetubular member and connected to the inlet ports and valve seats mountedin the tubular member at said opposite ends thereof for engagement bythe second valve portions of the valve members. 6 The combination ofclaim 1 wherein said valve means comprises a tubular element havingvalve seat portions at opposite ends thereof engageable by the valvemembers.
 7. The combination of claim 6 wherein said valve body comprisesa tubular member having opposite ends coupled to the supply means, clampmeans holding the measuring means assembled on the tubular member andconnected to the inlet ports and valve seats mounted in the tubularmember at said opposite ends thereof for engagement by the valvemembers.
 8. In a liquid-dispensing device adapted to discharge meteredquantities of fluid from a source, including measuring chamber meanshaving a fluid chamber for receiving said fluid and a fluid displacingelement enclosed therein, valve assembly on which said measuring meansis mounted and a valve actuator displaceable to two operative positions,said valve assembly comprising a valve body having an inlet portcommunicating with said fluid chamber on side of the fluid-displacingelement and an outlet port spaced therefrom, valve means displaceable bysaid actuator for controlling flow of the fluid having a valve passagein constant communication with said outlet port, a valve memberengageable with said valve means, a closure member coupled to said valvebody having a supply passage communicating with said inlet port andmeans biasing said valve member to a closed position blocking the supplypassage when the valve passage is open, said valve means having a valveseat engaged with the valve member to close the valve passage. 9 Thecombination of claim 8 wherein said measuring means includes a passageportion connecting the chamber to the inlet port, and clamp meansholding the passage portion assembled on the valve body. 10 Thecombination of claim 9 wherein said fluid-displacing element comprises aflexiBle diaphragm, and spacing means mounted in the fluid chamber ofthe measuring chamber means spacing the diaphragm from the passageportion to prevent blockage of fluid inflow to the measuring chambermeans from the valve assembly.
 11. The combination of claim 10 whereinsaid fluid chamber is spherical in shape and said spacing means includesa pin extending chordally through the fluid chamber overlying thepassage portion. 12 In combination with a fluid-metering chamber, avalve assembly comprising a valve body having an inlet port incommunication with the metering chamber and an outlet port, valve meansdisplaceable between at least two operative positions having a passagein constant communication with said outlet port for controlling flow offluid, a valve member engageable with the valve means in one of theoperative positions thereof, supply means operatively connected to thevalve body and mounting the valve member for movement by the valve meansto a position conducting an inflow of fluid through the inlet port intothe metering chamber, means biasing the valve member to another positionblocking said inflow to the metering chamber, and actuating meansengageable with the valve means for displacement thereof to the other ofthe operative positions spaced from the valve member conducting outflowof fluid from the metering chamber to the outlet port.